Counting the Stars in the Sky

Goodbyes are so hard.

The past few weeks have been somewhat bittersweet. So many of my childhood friend's parents have passed on and a couple of my own dear friends also.

Today, I found out that Joe Howard/Eagle-Eye has passed on. I didn't know him all that long, but we shared some common interests in cooking, collecting cookbooks and our opinions about the State of the Union.

My blog friends are some of my newest ones. Each introduction has provided me with a greater insight of my personal beliefs as well as sharing some treasures of life with others.

I also lost another dear person who provided a positive impact on my younger years, Mrs. Anderson.

Mrs. Anderson was my school librarian. She taught me library science during my formative years. She also entrusted the high school library to my care during my four years of high school.

I loved Mrs. Anderson. She called me her "Bonnie Girl". Many of my school friends thought that she did not have a sense of humor, but I know better.

I have always loved reading and appreciated the opportunity to help others in the library. During my high school years, having that personal haven for an hour a day was a precious gift to me.

Mrs. Anderson took in some of those students who didn't have a place with the other groups of high school cliques. She gave them a status that lifted not only their self-esteem, but also provided them with the opportunity to enjoy a measure of power.

Can you imagine being a Freshman in high school and having the authority over UpperClassmen? I was telling David about a time that the Junior Boys decided that they would act like dogs in the Library during a study hall session. They got down on all fours and proceeded to "mark" their territory on the corners of the library tables. Mrs. Anderson let this go on for a while and then came out from the back to tell the "dogs" that it was time to return to their dog-houses.

Sometimes we miss the opportunities to express our appreciation of friendship and mentorship that we experience during our lifetimes. Those people who still retain a special place in our hearts and memories and continue bless others with their goodness.

Glenns Ferry has lost many of those individuals the past few weeks. Alice Trail, George Menzik, and Virginia Anderson. Each of these individuals contributed much to the youth over the years. And there are many more whose familiar faces that I haven't even mentioned.

We always talk about the youth being the future, but the foundation has always been those who choose to make a difference. They are unselfish in the time and energy that they give to future generations.

There is plenty of time left in our lives to make a phone call or send a card to those who have blessed our lives. Unfortunately, I left it a little too late for Mrs. Anderson. I think that the last time that I saw her was in 2002 at the Elmore County Fair. We exchanged a hug then and visited for a few minutes. I am sad that I passed up that opportunity, we always think that we have plenty of time to do so, when in reality, we should seize the moment given to us.

Back to Joe, who was one of my newest friends. The first time that I met him in person, I gave him an armful of cookbooks. I wish that I would have had a little more time to get to know him better. But some friends pass through your life a little more quickly than others.

Have a nice week everyone. Keep your loved ones close and reach out to those with whom you haven't talked with for a while. We can always count the stars in the sky, but that is not quite the same as giving a hug to the ones you care about.